Survey of hepatitis C virus antibodies in HIV patients attending general hospital Suleja, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Worldwide, hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounts for greater part of chronic infections with an estimated prevalence of 3% constituting a population of between 130-170 million people globally and about 4 to 5 million persons are co-infected with HIV. HCV co-infection with HIV affects disease progression and management in these patients. This study determined and evaluated the prevalence of hepatitis C virus co-infection among HIV patients, accessing healthcare at General Hospital Suleja, Niger State, Nigeria. A total of 554 venous blood samples were collected from HIV sero-positive persons at the ART clinic of the hospital. The screening for HCV was based on the presence of anti-HCV antibodies using rapid enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ELISA positive samples were further confirmed with third generation rapid ELISA HCV kit (ORTHO HCV version 3.0 ELISA). Of the 554 patient screened 26(4.7%) were positive for HCV while 528(95.3%) tested negative. Female population had a higher prevalence of 18(3.3%) whilemale had 8(1.4%). Analysis of the prevalence based on age group showed that age group 28-37 had the highest prevalence of 11(1.99%), closely followed by age group of 40-49 with 8(1.44%) and age group of 20-29 had 4(0.72%). The study showed that there is epidemic of co-infection of HCV with HIV. It is recommended therefore, that all HIV infected persons be screened for HCV in order to offer effective management of those co-infected.

Keywords: Hepatitis C Virus, HIV, Prevalence, Co-infection, HAART